A case of what might have been. A sense of frustration. A sign of disapproval to a referee who simply did not do his job.

But now the hard work really starts for Rafa Benitez and Chelsea.

Now it comes down to desire, to commitment, to whether or not they have what it takes, have that essence of competitiveness which was, for so long, embedded in their collective DNA.

Five weeks in which they have to dig deep, chisel out the results that will ensure they are playing Champions League football next season.

The irony that the one trophy Benitez and his players can lift, after missing out on seven so far since the Community Shield defeat under Roberto Di Matteo, is the one they did not want to be involved in will have eluded few at Stamford Bridge.

A fight that starts at Craven Cottage on Wednesday, which has to take in Anfield and Old Trafford - as well as Villa Park on Cup Final day - which also sees home games with Swansea, Spurs and Everton.

Those last two matches could be pivotal, crucial. If Everton get anything out of their trip to Arsenal on Tuesday, it will start to look like a four-horse race for two positions.

Chelsea, level on points with Tottenham with a game in hand, would be favoured to get to the finishing line and earn the place money. After all, they have form, are course and distance winners.

Unlike last season, when they finished sixth, remember, they do not have the distraction of the Champions League - or another Wembley appearance - a fact that should benefit them.

But the first hour or so against Manchester City seemed to demonstrate a team running on vapours, nothing left in the tank.

The last 30 minutes or so was a different story, although it was Roberto Mancini's tactical reticence, as much as the impact of Ba's goal, which altered the momentum of the match, gave Chelsea encouragement.

Argy bargy: Aguero was guilty of a terrible challenge on Luiz (Image: The FA/Getty)

But the Spaniard is aware that his squad is struggling to cope with the intensity of the games, making defensive mistakes that are starting to be punished.

City ran Chelsea into the ground at Wembley for that first hour, the collective mistakes contributing to Aguero's winner representing a litany of defensive errors.

Tired players make those mistakes more regularly. And Chelsea, now 59 games into a season in which City have played 44 matches, and with another 10 still to play in the next 35 days, have a collection of very tired players.

Benitez does not believe John Terry can play twice in a week. He has consigned Frank Lampard to the "second" team - the midfielder is running out of games to get the three goals he needs to leave as Chelsea's all-time record scorer - and also harbours doubts over the state of Ba's body.

And while David Luiz is clearly acquiring the presence of a leader, just as Juan Mata and Eden Hazard will spearhead Chelsea's future, the direction of that future will be determined by the next few weeks.

Benitez wants to leave Chelsea with a trophy and the top four confirmed.

It remains very much in their hands. But this is where the truth about this Chelsea squad, these players, this manager, will be written.

If Torres is back... it's not against the best

Man in the mask: Torres has scored 18 goals in 53 games this season (Image: Action)

There is a theory, admittedly one propagated by those inside Chelsea, with a vested interest, that suggests he is back, that the British record investment was justified.

To be fair to Fernando Torres, he IS playing better. Far better. There is a dynamism in his movement that was not there, a willingness to take players on.

His arrival at Wembley certainly gave Chelsea a spark which could, perhaps should, have brought extra-time at least, maybe a victory.

Or Robin Van Persie, who has scored against Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, City, Spurs and Everton.

Or Michu, with goals against Arsenal, United, Chelsea and Tottenham.

Or Gareth Bale, who has notched against United, Arsenal and Liverpool (he missed the Chelsea game when his partner went into labour just before kick-off).

Or even the man who started instead of Torres at Wembley yesterday, Demba Ba, who has found the net against Spurs, Everton, City, Arsenal and United.

Torres may be playing to a decent standard. But so he should. And until he starts to score the goals that count, in the games that count, he will remain an under-achiever in SW6. And if he cannot, you wonder how much patience there will be?